KIPHIRE: Reacting to the “completely false statement” issued by the Wapher Village Council Chairman Lajumong and head GB Torepkiu with regard to November 5 assault, 6 signatories on behalf of the victims claimed that the Wapher Vilage Council (WVC) at the behest of outsiders refuted the demands of Tikhir Students’ Union against 3rd NAP jawans for the assault. The earlier statement made by the two village leaders stated the youth had challenged the jawans by bursting firecrackers while crossing NAP ‘D’ Coy Camp, and further clarified that there was no question of them crossing NAP Camp as it did not exist except some jawans at Wapher Village gate, the reason for whose deployment was not known. The victims asked Wapher Village Council as to whether it was possible to charge/challenge others at the time when one was filled with grief and sorrow. On Wapher Village Council’s allegation that the driver and handyman were slapped for not answering properly, the victims said while they were returning on the night of November 5, the jawans in inebriated condition halted their vehicle and without proper interrogation hit them with stick after they were told to bend down. The victims, said the two leader’s instead pleasing outsiders, must speak the truth so that any divisive policy aiming to thwart their unity and integrity could be withstood. Going by their statement, the victims said the two village leaders appeared like the jawans at Wapher village in a civilian dress speaking on behalf of the village council. Further, the victim believed the village leaders were brain washed by outsiders to belittle the case though in fact they were assaulted in their presence. The victims in this regard appealed the authority concerned to look into the matter and deliver justice at the earliest as demanded by Tikhir Students’ Union.